Our Opinion

Room for improvementFeels heavier than its rivals, steering not quite as sharp as the X3’s, 3.0 TDI performance comes with 125kg weight penalty, power steering durability question mark, lack of serious off-road features like low-range, no full-size spare, expensive options

THE Australian media launch of Audi’s vital new Q5 almost came unstuck before it had even finished when two 3.0 TDI variants suffered terminal power steering failure within a kilometre of each other after a challenging 35km fire-trail section in the Kosciuszko National Park this week.

The cause of the steering system problem, on the second of three identical instalments of the event, is yet to be revealed, and it took the gloss off an otherwise convincing introduction to Audi’s first mid-sized luxury SUV.

True to form, the Q5 wraps its higher-riding A4-based chassis architecture in a stylish five-door wagon bodyshell that looks as good inside as out, where Audi’s hallmark design and build quality is the overriding theme.

Of course, all the Q5s on hand were almost fully optioned, which took the base price of the entry-level 2.0 TFSI we drove from $59,900 to a hefty $82,780, or almost as much as the most affordable Q7.

That meant we couldn’t sample items such as the 2.0-litre variants’ standard ‘Leatherette’ seat trim, which would nevertheless have no bearing on the vault-like structural integrity of every model we drove, which gives the Q5 the same undeniably premium feel as its two chief rivals.

Ride quality was impressive too, given the minimal level of bodyroll, no matter how hard we pushed on the twisty country NSW tarmac – and the fact the Q5 also proved surprisingly compliant on the lumpy, bumpy off-road section that presented many unexpected hurdles but never fazed our Q5.

Just as the new A4’s revised chassis layout has improved its handling and steering prowess markedly over its predecessors, the Q5 offers a satisfying mix of crisp, responsive steering with enough feedback to make it feel decidedly un-SUV-like at the wheel.

Yes, as with the A4, there is still a level of steering rack rattle and even a touch of steering wheel kick at the limit of adhesion on rough surfaces and, no, the Q5 probably falls short of offering the same vice-free level of steering precision and response as BMW’s benchmark X3.

And while the V6 diesel’s considerable extra weight up front doesn’t allow it to change direction as effortlessly as the 2.0-litre turbo Q5 we drove, all Q5s somehow feel a little heavier than their kerb weights suggest.

However, there is little to separate the Q5 from the X3 in 99 per cent of usages, and if money were no object we’d happily sacrifice the 2.0 TFSI’s better-pointing nature for the bullocking reserves of torque that are always on offer from the Q5 3.0 TDI.

That said, the turbo-petrol Q5 was much more spirited than we expected, as well as smoother and quieter than even the super-refined 3.0 TDI.

We suspect that’s not just because it is blessed with more performance than anything this side of the 169kW Golf GTI Pirelli in the VW Group’s 2.0-litre turbo armoury, but because the rapid-fire new seven-speed dual-clutch auto is simply as good as anything similar from either Porsche (PDK) or BMW (M-DCT).

It’s a shame the oh-so-convenient paddle shifters are optional on four-cylinder Q5s, but given the obscenely-priced metallic paint option box ($1900 in this case) is ticked by 90 per cent of Audi buyers, perhaps Q5 buyers won’t be discouraged from extending to what we think would be the best $585 they will ever spend.

We never sampled the 2.0 TDI or 3.2 FSI (both on sale by May), but while the latter is expected to comprise just five per cent of all Q5s sold, the much slower 2.0 TDI’s improved fuel economy is expected to attract just as many buyers as the identically priced 2.0 TFSI.

Overall, we think the slippery and stylish looking Q5 deserves to be as popular as BMW’s segment-leading X3, which maintains a narrow dynamic edge over the Audi but now falls short in the key areas of luggage space and interior design and quality.

Super Test

Share with your friends

Enquire on or Test Drive a New Q5

Customer Terms and Conditions – New Car Lead enquires

Agreement

This is an agreement between GoAutoMedia Pty Limited ACN 094 732 457 of PO Box 18, Beach Road, Sandringham, VIC, 3191 (“we/us”), the owner and operator of the GoAuto.com.au website (“the website”) and the person wanting GoAuto.com.au to provide them with a lead for the purchase of a new car (“you”).

By completing a New Car Lead Enquiry, you agree to the terms and conditions and disclaimers and acknowledge the policies set out below.

Terms and Conditions

In order for us to effect a lead you must you must complete a New Car Lead Enquiry (“Enquiry”).

We will call you as soon as possible after you complete the Enquiry and certainly no later than the next business day. When we call, we will discuss with you your new car requirements.

You consent to our passing on the Enquiry and your requirements to an appropriate authorised motor car dealer as a lead.

We will contact you again in approximately eight days following your initial enquiry to check on the progress of the Enquiry.

While we will provide the dealer with the Enquiry and details of your new car requirements, we take no responsibility for what happens after passing on that material as a lead.

You acknowledge that we are a new car information service providing new car editorial information, pictures and prices to our customers as a guide only. Any new car prices published on the website are the manufacturers’ recommended retail prices and do not include delivery charges and on-road costs. Any authorized motor car dealer to which we pass on your Enquiry as a lead will provide you with full details of the price at which the vehicle will be sold to you.

You acknowledge that we do not sell motor vehicles. Any sale of a new car to you by a dealer after we have passed on your Enquiry to that dealer as a lead, is a sale by that dealer not by us.

Privacy Policy– New Car Lead Enquires

We take privacy very seriously. We understand that you will only complete an Enquiry if you can trust us to protect your personal information and use it appropriately. Our policy is to ensure that the personal information collected when you make an Enquiry is only used for the purposes of connecting you with an authorised motor car dealer.

We do not on-sell information collected from you or any other customer.

From time to time, we may email you with information or promotions that may be relevant for car buyers. You will continue to receive communications from us unless you tell us that you do not want to receive any advertising or promotional information in the future by unsubscribing from these communications.